PROCLAIMING GOD'S PRESENCE AMONG THE URBAN POOR

Voices Rising is remarkable array of stories that intersect race/ethnic/national identity, gender, faith and vocation. What makes these tales from the margins so compelling and insightful is their authentic and honest wrestling with the self, culture and God. Whether you are female or male, a person of color or not, single or married, questioning or embracing God’s call to ministry and mission you will find in these stories by women allies among those who have been on a journey, often times lonely and confusing, of discovering the transformative power of God’s love and grace for self and for others.

Reading these words reminded me how much we all need to continue listening and learning from the diverse and complex intersections and social locations women of color bring to the coming of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. Readers may not be able to relate to every story, every nuance but isn’t that how we interact with scripture? Take your time and wrestle with stories that take us around the globe and listen for God’s voice.

Reading Voices Rising is like sitting down for a cup of coffee with a group of remarkable women from all over the world. As each shares her stories of learning to live true to Jesus’ Kingdom and true to her unique identity, I felt inspired, challenged, and grateful. These intimate (and often poignant) stories expand our understanding of who God is using as urban missionaries and enable us to learn from their faith.

— Lindsay Olesberg, InterVarsity’s Scripture Engagement Director and author of Studying Ephesians with the Global Church

The voices of women of color are rising. These are strong and compelling voices; and also humble and gracious. Women of color call the church and the world to peace, reconciliation, justice, diversity, and hope. They show us the grace and passion and prophetic wisdom cultivated at the margins of our church and world. In Voices Rising, women of color women offer personal and prophetic stories and insights that can renew the church, transform the world, and lead to lasting hope.

For too long the American Church has been content to offer platform to white men or occasionally white women and to let our theology and practice of ministry by shaped only from that perspective. The voices of these women of color are precious gems to shape the life and future of the American Church. May we heed our sisters’ collective wisdom, and in so doing, better understand the heart of God, and healthy life and ministry for the Church.

Strong women of deep faith telling powerful stories. That’s what you will find in Voices Rising. We are past due for a collection of experiences from Christian matriarchs of the 21st century. We need their voices to give us courage for the challenge we face and to plant seeds of hope in a world of hardship. In these pages you will encounter the stories of modern day Desert Mothers. We would do well to heed their wisdom.

— Scott Bessenecker, Director of Missions, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and author of The New Friars and Living Mission, IVP

Press Web

Connect

Shop

Servant Partners Press is a division of Servant Partners, a Pomona, California-based interdenominational evangelical organization working to transform urban poor communities in the U.S. and internationally.